I think the claim that future energy usage will remain static is largely flawed.
For one, a few billion people are currently moving from an annual income of less than $10,000 to closer to $30,000. That's a huge, unprecedented global shift that will lead to a big increase in worldwide energy demand.
Second, I think ingenuity will solve our future energy supply issues. A geologist once said "oil is found in the minds of men" and I think that claim holds true for all sources of energy. Look at shale gas: this is a huge energy source that wasn't even in anyone's radar thirty years ago. Moreover, effeciency increases over the next two decades, both in MPG standards, industry and electronics, could yield a savings equivalent to 13 million barrels of oil per day. That's like adding a new Norway and Russia to world energy supplies.
Daniel Yergin's book The Quest coveres these future challenges quite well, I highly recommend it.
For one, a few billion people are currently moving from an annual income of less than $10,000 to closer to $30,000. That's a huge, unprecedented global shift that will lead to a big increase in worldwide energy demand.
Second, I think ingenuity will solve our future energy supply issues. A geologist once said "oil is found in the minds of men" and I think that claim holds true for all sources of energy. Look at shale gas: this is a huge energy source that wasn't even in anyone's radar thirty years ago. Moreover, effeciency increases over the next two decades, both in MPG standards, industry and electronics, could yield a savings equivalent to 13 million barrels of oil per day. That's like adding a new Norway and Russia to world energy supplies.
Daniel Yergin's book The Quest coveres these future challenges quite well, I highly recommend it.